diff --git a/src/chat.rs b/src/chat.rs
index b81c066ff..e4d47bd6b 100644
--- a/src/chat.rs
+++ b/src/chat.rs
@@ -2597,6 +2597,8 @@ pub(crate) fn inner_set_autodelete_timer(
     chat_id: ChatId,
     timer: u32,
 ) -> Result<(), Error> {
+    ensure!(!chat_id.is_special(), "Invalid chat ID");
+
     context.sql.execute(
         "UPDATE chats
          SET autodelete_timer=?